Ash tray



Aug. 27, 1940. l. E. MATHER 2,213,046

ASH TRAY Filed Aug. 19, 1937 Parelted Aug. 27, 1940 L'. I) lv mm U @mC-E 1 Claim.

My invention relates generally to ash receptacles, and particularly to ash trays provided with improved means for preventing cigarettes from rolling off the tray.

It is an object of my invention to provide an improved ash tray which may be economically manufactured and which is provided with improved and simplied means for holding cigarettes. 1 10 Other objects will appear from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in which: y

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the ash tray;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional View taken on 15 the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan View of a modified form of -my invention;

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional View taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

20 Fig. 5 is a plan of a further modification; and

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line Ii-I of Fig. 5.

In the use of relatively small shallow ash trays of the type commonly used on card tables, din- 25 ing tables andthe like, the table top or cover is frequently damaged because lighted cigarettes easily roll olf the tray and burn or scorch the `table top or cover.

In accordance with my invention, I provide 30 simple, cheap, and effective means to prevent such accidents.

As shown'in Figs. l and 2, the ash receptacle comprises a tray I which may be of any suitable shape and conformation. Adjacent the pe- 35 riphery of the tray, diametrically opposite each other, are a pair of holes I2 which receive the ends of a helical spring wire I4. The wire I4 is preferably under a slight tension so that the end turns thereof will frictionally grip the tray, and obviate the necessity of providing any additional means for securing the wire I4 to the tray. The coils of the wire I4 are spaced apart a sufficient distance to permit easy insertion of a cigarette,

as indicated in Fig. 1.

45 In inserting a cigarette between the coils of the wire I4, the cigarette is slightly compressed and is thus frictionally held between the coils. The action of the spring Wire I4 thus differs from that of the coil springs used in pen and pencil 50 racks wherein the spring is appreciably deformed, and due to its deformation, grips the relatively non-yielding pencil or pen-holder.

If desired, the coiled spring wire may be arched, thus facilitating the insertion and removal of 5| cigarettes from the coils ofthe wire.

In the construction shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the tray I6 is provided with a conical coil spring wire I8, the lcwermost turn of which is spot welded, soldered, or otherwise secured to the tray. In this embodiment, the cigarettes may 5 be easily inserted and held between successive turns of the spring. The aspect of the spring wire I8 from diierent directions is substan'.- tially identical, so that a cigarette may be conveniently inserted between two of the coils there- 10 of from any one of a plurality of different directions.

The Wire I8 is relatively stiff so that the cigarette will be deformed slightly when it is inserted between its coils, while the wire will substantially retain its shape. For this reason, the insertion and removal of a cigarette are easily accomplished. The burning cigarette may be inserted between successive turns of the wire with its lighted end located within the coils. Then by compressing the spring formed by the wire, the cigarette may be easily snuffed, by practically shearing the burning portion from the remainder of the cigarette.

In the modified form shown in Figs. 5 and 6, 25 the tray 20 is provided with a toroidal shaped coil 22 of spring wire, the ends of which may be Welded orsoldered together and which may be secured to the tray 20 at one or a plurality of points by soldering, Welding, or brazing. In this embodiment of the invention, cigarettes may be very easily inserted between the coils of the wire 22 from any direction, since the spaces between the coils extend generally radially from the center of the tray. The spacing between the coils is such that a cigarette will be slightly conipressed when forced between successive coils.

It will be noted that in each of the embodiments the coiled spring wire is located near the center of the tray, so that if a cigarette is inadvertently left burning, and continues to burn until it is completely consumed, all of the ashes will be retained on the tray. The coil spring wires are located in such position on the tray that when a cigarette is inserted between the coils in a normal manner, the entire cigarette will lie above the tray.

The trays illustrated in the various embodiments of my invention may be of any desired utilitarian or ornamental shape, and may be made of metal, moulded plastics, ceramics, and other materials. In each instance, the means or method of securing the coiled-spring wire to the tray will be adapted to the material of which the tray is made.

While I have shown and described several forms of my invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that it may be embodied in various other forms without departing from the underlying principles of the invention. I therefore do not Wish the following claim to be limited to the specic constructions shown, but to include within its scope all similar embodiments wherein substantially the same results are 10 secured by substantially the same means. 

